Method and apparatus for manipulating a surgical guidewire

ABSTRACT

A method and apparatus for manipulating a surgical guidewire. The apparatus comprises a chuck for selectively coupling motive force to a surgical guidewire and an actuator, coupled to the chuck, for imparting an axial motive force to the chuck. Embodiments of the invention further comprise a method of using the apparatus.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims benefit of U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/151,388, filed Feb. 10, 2009, which is herein incorporated by reference

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to surgical guidewire utilization in surgical procedures and, more particularly, to a method and apparatus for manipulating a surgical guidewire.

2. Description of the Related Art

A surgical guidewire (referred to herein also as a guidewire) is typically a semi-rigid probe used as an initial access point for performing in endovascular surgical procedure. The guidewire is twisted, bent, and otherwise maneuvered through an access vessel in order to position the guidewire tip and a location a surgeon desires to treat.

Conventional guidewire manipulation methods often involve applying torque to the guidewire to aid its passage through tortuous and clogged vessels. Typically, spinning the guidewire in one's fingertips creates torque to assist in manipulating the guidewire through an obstructed and/or difficult passageway. This technique is also known as “helicoptering”, alluding to the spinning blades of a helicopter.

However, applying torque is difficult since surgical guidewires have an extremely small diameter and typically have a low friction surface to promote passage through a vessel. Additionally, the gloves of a surgeon or often coated with blood or saline solution, further increasing the slickness of a guidewire. In this respect, helicoptering and similar maneuvers can be time-consuming and inefficient. This inefficiency not only frustrates surgeons, but also increases procedure completion time and, therefore, increases procedure costs.

Furthermore, in instances where an obstruction is encountered within a vessel, a surgeon generally applies axial motion in an oscillatory manner to drive the guidewire through or past the obstruction. During surgery, an endovascular surgeon may encounter an occlusion that is chronic and/or calcified. Such occlusions have a hard shell with a consistency much like plaster. These forms of obstructions can be difficult and sometimes impossible to penetrate using manual manipulation of a guidewire. Consequently, a procedure may be abandoned when such difficult obstructions are encountered.

Therefore, there is a need in the art for a method and apparatus for manipulating a guidewire.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the present invention generally comprise a method and apparatus for manipulating a surgical guidewire. Specifically, the apparatus comprises a chuck for selectively coupling motive force to a surgical guidewire and an actuator, coupled to the chuck, for imparting an axial motive force to the chuck. Embodiments of the invention further comprise a method of using the apparatus.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

So that the manner in which the above recited features of the present invention can be understood in detail, a more particular description of the invention, briefly summarized above, may be had by reference to embodiments, some of which are illustrated in the appended drawings. It is to be noted, however, that the appended drawings illustrate only typical embodiments of this invention and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope, for the invention may admit to other equally effective embodiments.

FIG. 1 illustrates a view of one embodiment of a guidewire manipulation device being used on a patient according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 depicts a schematic block diagram of a guidewire manipulation device according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 depicts a vertical cross-sectional view of a guidewire manipulation device according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 depicts a portion of an actuator used in the guidewire manipulation device of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 depicts a perspective view of a hub of a chuck that imparts axial motive force to a guidewire when using the guidewire manipulation divisive FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 depicts a block diagram of a controller for a guidewire manipulation device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 depicts a vertical cross-sectional view of alternative embodiment of the guidewire manipulation device;

FIG. 8 depicts a partial perspective view of a portion of a guidewire drive assembly for the guidewire manipulation device of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 depicts a cross-sectional view of a portion of the housing for the guidewire manipulation device of FIG. 7;

FIG. 10 depicts a vertical cross-sectional view of the guidewire manipulation device of FIG. 7 having the actuator engaged to apply axial motive force to the guidewire in accordance with one embodiment of the invention; and

FIG. 11 depicts a partial, vertical cross-sectional view of another embodiment of a guidewire manipulation device for imparting axial motive force to a guidewire.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments of the present invention comprise a method and apparatus for manipulating a surgical guidewire. The method and apparatus are embodied in a guidewire manipulation device for selectively imparting motive force (rotational and/or axial (linear) motion) to a surgical guidewire. In use, such a guidewire manipulation device is selectively locked to a surgical guidewire and is activated to impart motive force to maneuver the guidewire to a desired location during an endovascular procedure. The motive force applied to the guidewire is selectively rotational or axial to facilitate moving the surgical guidewire through a vessel and/or penetrating occlusions.

FIG. 1 illustrates a view of a guidewire manipulation device 100 being used on a patient 110 according to one embodiment of the present invention. In one embodiment, the guidewire manipulation device 100 is a handheld device capable of fitting in the palm of a user's hand and being operated using one hand. In one embodiment, the guidewire manipulation device 100 is advanced over a surgical guidewire 102, i.e., the guidewire 102 passes through a longitudinally oriented passage in the device 100). During an endovascular procedure, the guidewire 102 is introduced into a vessel 106 (e.g., a femoral artery) of the patient 110. The guidewire manipulation device 100 is selectively locked to the guidewire 102. As the guidewire is advanced into the patient, the user operates the manipulation device 100 to impart motive force (rotational and/or axial motion) to the guidewire 102, as appropriate.

For example, as a distal end 108 of the guidewire 102 reaches an angled or curved region of the vessel 106, the user locks the manipulation device 100 to the guidewire and imparts rotational motive force to the guidewire 102 (e.g., in a counterclockwise direction indicated by arrow 104), thereby causing the distal end 108 of the guidewire 102 to more easily advance through the angled or curved region of the vessel 106. Once advanced past the region, the device 100 is unlocked from the guidewire and the guidewire can be further advanced through the vessel. In another example, the distal end 108 of the guidewire 102 reaches an obstruction (e.g., an embolism) but is unable to pass the obstruction. The user then locks the guidewire manipulation device 100 to the guidewire 102 and imparts a vibratory motion (e.g., rapidly oscillating between clockwise and counterclockwise rotation). Such motion causes the distal end of the guidewire 102 to pass through the obstruction. In another example, when the distal end of the guidewire 102 reaches an obstruction, the user locks the guidewire manipulation device 100 to the guidewire 102 and imparts an axial motion (e.g., a linear movement of the guidewire 102) to create a jackhammer effect. In another embodiment, the user may lock the device 100 to the guidewire 102 and simultaneously impart both rotational and axial motion to the guidewire 102. In another embodiment of the invention, a sequence of predefined guidewire manipulations (i.e., a pattern) may be produced using a computer program for controlling the motion as described in detail below. Various motive patterns to be selectively used in various surgical situations can be selected from memory and applied to the guidewire.

FIG. 2 depicts a schematic block diagram of one embodiment of a guidewire manipulation device 100. The guidewire manipulation device 100 defines an axially longitudinal passage 204 through which the guidewire 102 is threaded during use. The guidewire manipulation device 100 comprises a housing 200, an actuator 206, and a chuck 202. The chuck 202 comprises a guidewire locking mechanism 208. During use, the chuck 202 is locked to the guidewire 102 using the locking mechanism 208. Once locked, the actuator selectively imparts motive force (rotational motion and/or axial motion) to the guidewire 102.

FIG. 3 depicts a vertical cross-sectional view of one embodiment of a guidewire manipulation device 100. In this embodiment, the actuator 206 of FIG. 2 is divided into a rotary actuator 206A and an axial actuator 206B such that the device may selectively apply to the guidewire: no motive force, rotary motive force or rotary and axial motive force.

Device 100 comprises a housing 200 typically formed into halves that are glued, screwed, or otherwise affixed to each other to form an enclosure. Within the housing 200 are defined slots 350 wherein are retained bushings 302A and 302B. The bushings 302A and 302B support an axle 300. The axle 300 defines the passage 204 extending axially through the axle 300. When in use, the guidewire 102 is threaded through the passage 204.

The rotary actuator 206A comprises the axle 300, a motor 328, a drive assembly 326, a controller 330, and a control switch 332. The drive assembly 326 couples rotational motion of the motor 328 to the axle 300 using a plurality of gears, further described with respect to FIG. 4 below. In one embodiment of the invention, the controller 330 is simply one or more batteries that are coupled to the motor 328 via the control switch 332. In such an embodiment, the control switch 332 may simply apply a voltage from the one or more batteries to the motor 328 to cause the motor 328 to rotate. In its simplest form, the control switch 332 is a simple single-pole, single-throw (SPST), momentary contact switch. In more complex embodiments, the controller 330 comprises a programmable microcontroller as described with respect to FIG. 6 below. In other embodiments, the switch 332 may apply voltage to cause the motor 328 to selectively rotate clockwise or counterclockwise. The control switch 332 is generally mounted to be exposed to the exterior of the housing 200 and facilitate manipulation by one hand of a user (e.g., a thumb activated push-button or slide switch.

The axle 300 is coupled to a chuck 202. In one embodiment, the chuck 202 comprises a coupler 304, a hub 324 and a wedge 314. The coupler 304 and the axle 300 have splined mating surfaces 342 for coupling the rotational motion of the axle 300 to the chuck 202, while allowing the coupler 304 to move in an axial direction. The hub 324 is threaded onto the coupler 304 at surface 312. The wedge 314 is located in a window 352 defined by the coupler 304. The hub 324 retains the wedge 314 within the window 352. In a disengaged (unlocked) position, the hub 324 does not impart pressure to the wedge 314 thereby allowing the guidewire 102 to slide freely beneath the wedge 314 and through the passage 204. To lock the guidewire into the lock mechanism 208, the hub 324 is rotated relative to the coupler 304 such that the angled surface 316 of the hub 324 interacts with the top surface 308 of the wedge 314. As the hub 324 is moved relative to the coupler 304 via the mating threaded surfaces 312, the wedge 314 is forced against the guidewire 102. Consequently, the guidewire is captured between the wedge 314 and the coupler 304 and thereby locked into the chuck 202. Once locked, any motion of the chuck 202 is imparted as motive force to the guidewire 102.

Other embodiments of the invention utilize other forms of chucks. In a broad sense, any mechanism that can be used to selectively lock the guidewire to a source of motive force may be used. Other forms of chucks having multiple jaws or compressive slotted cylinders are applicable.

The coupler 304 comprises a spring seat 354 supporting a first end of a spring 306. The second end of spring 306 rests against a flange 322 that extends from the inner surface of the housing 200. The spring 306 is one embodiment of a resilient member that biases the coupler 304 inwardly toward the axle 300. The coupler 304 further comprises a flange 320 that extends radially from the outer surface of the coupler 304. The flange 320 is positioned along the coupler 304 to limit the amount of axial movement that can be imparted to the chuck 202. The flange 320 abuts the housing flange 322. As such, the spring 306 biases the coupler 304 to maintain contact between the flange 320 and the flange 322.

To impart axial motion to the chuck 202, the bottom surface 356 of the hub 324 is dimpled. The surface 356 interacts with a protrusion 336 extending from the exterior surface of the housing 200 proximate the surface 356 of the hub 324. Depending on the position of the hub 324 relative to the coupler 304, the spring 306 insurers that the protrusion 336 interacts with the dimpled surface 356. Upon locking the chuck 202 to the guidewire 102 and imparting rotation to the chuck 202, the guidewire 102 moves in an axial direction as indicated by arrow 358. To disengage the axial motive force, the hub 324 is rotated relative to the coupler 304 along the threads 312 to decouple the protrusion 336 from the surface 356. In this manner, the locking mechanism 208 retains the guidewire 102 such that rotational motion of the axle 300 is imparted to the guidewire 102 without imparting axial motion. In this embodiment, the axial motion actuator 206B comprises the hub 324, spring 306, coupler 304 and the housing 200.

FIG. 4 depicts a cross sectional view of the drive assembly 326 of the rotary actuator 206A taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 3 in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. The drive assembly 326 comprises a motor gear 400, an intermediary gear 402 and an axle gear 404. The motor 328 of FIG. 3 is coupled to the motor gear 400 to impart rotational motion to the motor gear. In one embodiment, the axle gear 404 is formed as an integral part of this surface of the axle 300 of FIG. 3. The intermediary gear 402 is designed to provide a gear ratio between the motor gear 400 and axle gear 404. The diameters and the number of teeth of each gear is considered to be a design choice that will define the speed of rotational motion of the guidewire as well as the oscillatory speed of the axial motion.

In other embodiments, the motor 328 of FIG. 3 may be coupled to the axle via other forms of drive assemblies, e.g., direct drive, worm gear, and/or the like. The specific motor and drive assembly characteristics are considered a design choice to develop specific guidewire rotation speed and torque. In some embodiments, the drive assembly may be adjustable to facilitate creating specific speed and torque profiles or adjustments. One form of adjustments may be facilitated by the use of a stepper motor that can be controlled with a pulse width modulated signal produced by the controller, as discussed below.

An alternative embodiment for imparting rotary motive force in selectable directions uses a gear train comprising two larger diameter spur gears mounted on a common shaft that is driven constantly in one direction by an electric motor. Each of the two spur gears has a section of its teeth, something over ½ its total number, removed. The removed sections of teeth are positioned such that only one or the other of two additional smaller spur gears, each located to be driven by one of these common shaft gears, will be driven at a time. The two smaller spur gears are then used one at a time to drive the gear on the axle, but the positioning of one additional gear between just one of these driving gears and the axle gear results in the rotational direction of the axle being reversed when that set is driving the axle gear.

Another embodiment, if only forward and reversing is required without a near constant rotational speed in either direction, has the spur gear on the axle driven by a pivoted ¼ pie shaped plate. The toothed curved section opposite the pivot near the tip would have the correct pitch radius to mesh with the axle spur gear. This pivoted gear section plate would have, running upwards from its pivot, a slot in its face in which a pin, mounted off-center on a disc, could slide up and down freely. As an electric motor turns this disc in a constant direction, it would cause the pivoted plate to wobble back and forth so that its gear section drives the axle spur gear in one direction and then in the reverse direction.

FIG. 5 depicts a perspective view of the hub 324 in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. The hub 324 comprises a surface 356 having a plurality of dimples 504 and spaces 502 between the dimples 504. The hub 324 further comprises a threaded interior surface 312. The threaded interior surface 312 is adapted to interact with a threaded exterior surface of the coupler 304 to adjust the position of the hub relative to the coupler 304 and the wedge 314. The dimples 504 and the spaces 502 between the dimples 504 are adapted to interact with the protrusion 336 to impart axial motion to the chuck 202. The spacing of the dimples and the speed of the motor control the oscillation rate of the axial motion. Furthermore, the depth of the dimples 504 relative to the spaces 502 on the surface 356 controls the travel distance of the axial motion.

FIG. 6 depicts a block diagram of the controller 330 in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. The controller 330 comprises a microcontroller 600, support circuits 602, memory 604 and a power supply 606. The microcontroller 600 may be one or more of many commercially available microcontrollers, microprocessors, application specific integrated circuits (ASIC), and the like. The support circuits 602 comprise well known circuits that facilitate the operation of the microcontroller 600 including, but not limited to, clock circuits, cache, power supplies, input/output circuits, indicators, sensors, and/or the like. In one embodiment, the power supply 606 comprises one or more batteries. In other embodiments, the power supply 606 may comprise in AC to DC converter to allow the guidewire manipulation device to be plugged into a wall socket. In further embodiments, the power supply 606 may comprise one or more batteries and a charging circuit for the batteries may be inductively coupled to a base charger.

The memory 604 may be any form of memory device used to store digital instructions for the microcontroller 600 as well as data. In one embodiment, the memory 604 is random access memory or read only memory comprising control code 608 (e.g., computer readable instructions) that are used to control the actuator 206 to impart motion to the guidewire. The programs utilized by the microcontroller 600 to control the actuator 206 are generally controlled by the control switch 332 and/or another input device.

In one embodiment of the invention, the motor 328 is a stepper motor that is controlled using, for example, a pulse width modulated signal produced by the controller 330 to impart specific torque and/or speed profiles to the motor 328. In some embodiments, predefined programs can be generated and selected through manipulation of the switch 332 to enable a user to overcome specific types of obstructions within the path of the guidewire. For example, if a surgeon encounters a specific type of embolism, a specific program defining the motion of the guidewire to overcome the obstruction can be selected and implemented. Various programs can be generated through empirical study of guidewire utilization in endovascular procedures. To select a particular motion pattern, the switch may be a slide switch having a plurality of selectable positions, where each position corresponds to a different motion pattern.

FIG. 7 depicts a vertical cross-sectional view of a guidewire manipulation device 650 according to an alternative embodiment of the invention. In this embodiment, the use of axial motion is selected through manipulation of a mechanical switch 702. As with the prior embodiment, this embodiment selectively imparts to a guidewire: no motive force, rotary motive force, or rotary and axial motive force. The device 650 comprises a rotational actuator 206A as described above with respect to FIG. 3. In this embodiment, a coupler 700 comprises a spring seat 750, a dimpled flange 710 and a switch stop 752. A slidable switch 702 comprises an extension 704 that interacts with a switch seat 752. They switch seat 752 and the spring seat 750 define a space 706 that captures the switch extension 704. Manipulation of the switch 702 causes the coupler 700 to move axially along the surface that mates with the axle 300. A spring 708 is positioned between the spring seat 750 and the housing flange 322. The spring 708 biases the coupler 700 inwardly toward the axle 300. The dimpled flange 710 radially extends from the coupler 700. One surface of the dimpled flange 710 abuts the housing flange 322 to limit the distance the coupler 700 moves in an axial direction. The dimpled flange 710 has a surface aligned with a dimpled surface 712 of the housing 200. When the guidewire is locked to the chuck 202 and the rotational actuator 206A is activated, the guidewire 102 rotates without any axial movement. As described further with respect to FIG. 10 below, when the switch 702 is moved forward to cause the dimpled surface of flange 710 to engage the dimpled surface 712, the guidewire 102 axial motive force is imparted to the guidewire 102.

FIG. 8 depicts a partial perspective view of the coupler 700 in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. The coupler 700 has an aperture 806 through which the guidewire is threaded. The dimpled flange 710 comprises a radially extending flange 802 having a plurality of dimples 800 formed in the surface. In one embodiment, the dimples are formed as a sequence of wedges. In other embodiments, to cause axial motion of the chuck when the coupler 700 is rotated, the surface of the flange 802 needs to be varied such that interaction with a corresponding surface causes axial movement of the coupler 700.

FIG. 9 depicts a cross-sectional view of the housing 200 taken along line 9-9 in FIG. 7. In one embodiment, the surface 712 comprises corresponding protrusions shaped to interact with the dimples in surface 800 of the coupler 700. In another embodiment, the surface 712 may comprise complementary wedges 900 to the surface 800 of the coupler 700. The shape of the wedges defines, in part, the distance travelled, the rate of acceleration of the guidewire, and the speed of the guidewire oscillation.

FIG. 10 depicts an embodiment of the guidewire manipulation device 650 of FIG. 7 where the dimpled flange 710 has been engaged the protrusion surface 712. In this manner, the switch 702 has moved the coupler 700 forward to facilitate engagement of the surfaces 710 and 712. When the chuck 202 locks to the guidewire 102 and the rotary actuator is activated, the guidewire 102 rotates as shown in arrow 1002 and axially oscillates as represented by arrow 1000.

FIG. 11 depicts a vertical cross-sectional view of a portion of a guidewire manipulation device 1100. Device 1100 comprises an axial actuator 206B that can be selectively utilized without imparting rotational motion of the guidewire. As such, with this embodiment, the device 1100 selectively imparts to the guide wire: no motive force, rotary motive force, axial motive force, or axial and rotary motive force.

In one embodiment, the device 1100 comprises a linear actuator 1116 coupled to a shaft of 1114 that interacts with a fulcrum 1112. The linear actuator 1116 imparts linear motion to one portion of the fulcrum 1112. The fulcrum is mounted upon a pivot point 1120 such that the fulcrum 1112 rotates about the pivot point 1120 as a linear motive force is applied to the fulcrum 1112. A second end of the fulcrum 1112 interacts with a coupler 1104. The coupler 1104, as with prior embodiments, has a splined surface that interacts with the axle 300 to impart rotational motion to the coupler, as needed. The coupler 1104 comprises a spring seat 1108. A spring 1106 is positioned between the housing 1102 and the spring seat 1108 to bias the coupler 1104 toward the axle 300. The fulcrum 1112 couples to the spring seat 1108 such that motion of the fulcrum 1112 axially moves the coupler 1104. In this manner, without any rotational motion the linear actuator 1116 imparts axial motion to the coupler and to guidewire 102 locked in the chuck 202.

In one embodiment, the linear actuator 1116 may be a solenoid, piezoelectric actuator, linear motor, rotary motor and ball screw or rack/pinion, and/or the like. In another embodiment, a hammer-drill type assembly may be used to impart axial force to the guidewire.

The controller 330 in a manner similar to that described for controlling the motor 328 of FIG. 3 may control the linear actuator 1116.

While the foregoing is directed to embodiments of the present invention, other and further embodiments of the invention may be devised without departing from the basic scope thereof, and the scope thereof is determined by the claims that follow. 

The invention claimed is:
 1. Apparatus for manipulating a surgical guidewire used in surgery comprising: a chuck, the chuck selectively coupling motive force to a surgical guidewire; an actuator, coupled to the chuck, for imparting linear motive force and rotary motive force to the chuck; wherein the chuck comprises: a coupler for receiving the motive force from the actuator; a hub coupled to the coupler; and a wedge positioned within a window in the coupler and retained in the window by the hub, the wedge having an angled surface that interacts with the hub to move the wedge between a guidewire locked position and a guidewire unlocked position; an axle coupled with the chuck and the actuator, the axle having an axially extending passage which is configured to allow the surgical guidewire to slidably extend therethrough; and a housing that houses the actuator and axle and is sized to fit in a palm of a user, wherein the chuck imparts a linear movement and a rotary movement to the surgical guidewire.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the chuck comprises a locking mechanism for selectively locking the chuck to a surgical guidewire.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the hub comprises a dimpled surface for interacting with a protrusion, where the actuator imparts rotary motive force to the hub and the dimpled surface interacting with the protrusion produces linear motive force.
 4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the coupler comprises a radially extending flange having a dimpled surface for interacting with a protrusion, where the actuator imparts rotary motive force to the coupler and the dimpled surface interacting with the protrusion produces linear motive force.
 5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the actuator further comprises a linear actuator coupled to the chuck.
 6. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a controller, coupled to the actuator, for controlling activation of the actuator.
 7. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein the controller is programmed with a plurality of motive force patterns.
 8. Apparatus for manipulating a surgical guidewire used in surgery comprising: a chuck for selectively coupling motive force to a surgical guidewire, where the chuck comprises: a coupler; a hub coupled to the coupler and having a dimpled surface for interacting with a protrusion; and a wedge positioned within a window in the coupler and retained in the window by the hub, the wedge having an angled surface that interacts with the hub to move the wedge between a guidewire locked position and a guidewire unlocked position; and an actuator, coupled to the chuck, for imparting rotary motive force to the coupler, where the actuator imparts rotary motive force to the coupler and the dimpled surface of the hub interacting with the protrusion produces linear motive force upon the chuck, wherein the chuck imparts a linear movement to the guidewire.
 9. The apparatus of claim 8 further comprising a controller, coupled to the actuator, for controlling activation of the actuator.
 10. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein the controller is programmed with a plurality of motive force patterns.
 11. The apparatus if claim 8 further comprising a housing supporting the chuck and the actuator, sized to fit in a palm of a user.
 12. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the actuator comprises a plurality of gears to selectively impart rotary motive force in a counterclockwise direction and a clockwise direction. 